Were all or some of the lighting fix­tures in your facility built or renovated before 1979?

If yes, they probably con­tain PCB light ballasts.

NYSUT recently sponsored an EPA-led health and safety webinar on the topic of PCBs in light ballasts. The webinar was customized for custodial and maintenance NYSUT mem­bers, health and safety activists and local leaders inter­ested in this issue, which is now gaining public attention.

The webinar addresses PCBs and their health effects; why the EPA is concerned about school light fixtures containing PCBs; how to recognize PCB light fixtures and leaks; how to handle leaking ballasts; storage and disposal of PCB fixtures; and the ongoing experience of New York City schools that are dealing with this issue.

The webinar was produced by NYSUT in partnership with Region 2 of the Environmental Protection Agency and the United Federation of Teachers.